Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called on the Catholic Church to issue a formal apology for its involvement in the mother and baby homes scandal, which saw thousands of unmarried women and their children subjected to harsh conditions, forced labour, and systemic neglect.
Speaking ahead of a state apology scheduled for next week, Martin described the Church's silence as "deafening" and emphasised the need for accountability. "The Church must confront its past and acknowledge the suffering it enabled," he said.
A Dark Chapter in Ireland's History
Between the 1920s and 1990s, an estimated 56,000 unmarried women and girls were sent to mother and baby homes run by religious orders. Many faced stigma, forced adoptions, and even infant mortality rates far higher than the national average.
A 2021 report confirmed that 9,000 children died in these institutions, with some buried in unmarked graves. Survivors have long demanded justice, but the Church has yet to take full responsibility.
Government Steps Forward
The Irish government has pledged financial reparations and a formal state apology, but campaigners argue that without the Church's participation, reconciliation remains incomplete. "This isn't just about money—it's about truth," said one survivor.
Martin’s remarks come as pressure mounts on religious institutions worldwide to address historical abuses. Will Ireland’s Catholic leadership finally respond?
